Can LeBron James Be Stopped in NBA Game 7 Tonight? Predictions, Betting Odds Show No Clear Favorite

Despite the injuries and against the odds, the Boston Celtics are one win away from the 2018 NBA finals. That’s the same situation the team was in during Game 6 when LeBron James went for 46 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers won 109-99. But can the Celtics stop James and the Cavs tonight?

If history is any indication, the odds are not in the Celtics' favor for game 7. James has historically performed well in Game 7s. Not just well, but maybe the best ever. Boasting a 5-2 record in Game 7s, James averages nearly 35 points per game. He hasn’t lost a game 7 in the NBA playoffs since George W. Bush was president. For comparison's sake, Michael Jordan averaged 33.7 points per game in Game 7s. However, Jordan only played in three Game 7s.

Tonight James looks to continue his Game 7 dominance. Tip-off for the Cavs versus the Celtics is at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. You can watch the game online with ESPN’s streaming service, WatchESPN, but you’ll need a cable log-in.

Cavs vs. Celtics Game 7 Betting Odds

According to oddsmakers, the Boston Celtics are a slight favorite (-2.5) over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 tonight.

“I thought this game should’ve opened at a pick ‘em but the books are factoring in the status of [Kevin] Love. While he’s the second option for the Cavs, he’s been anything but spectacular in this series or the playoffs,” Chris David Vegas Insider said. “For me, this is LeBron against Boston and when I see the Cavs catching points albeit small, I tend to lean to the opinion of the oddsmakers.”

Cavs vs. Celtics Game 7 Predictions

TNT analyst and NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is picking Boston: “It was nice of Ty Lue to play Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., and Jeff Green. Guys like that,” Barkley said. “You’ve got to put guys in the game to give them an opportunity to be successful. That being said, I’m going with the little leprechaun. I’m going with the Boston Celtics.”

Three out of four USA Today NBA staff writers picked the Cavs to advance. “I learned the hard way yet again in the first round why it’s such a bad idea to bet against LeBron James during his annual march to the Finals. So while Boston’s home dominance is certainly compelling evidence that the Celtics will move on, James’ greatness and his experience on this front will get him and the Cavs through,” writer Sam Amick said.